بخش 20
Prose Version
In this section, Piran Viseh, the Turanian commander, selects a thousand elite horsemen to pursue Keykhosrow and Giv. They ride day and night until they catch up with the fugitives at a deep river. Farangis, keeping watch, spots Piran's banner and wakes Giv and Keykhosrow. Giv urges Keykhosrow and Farangis to cross the river to safety while he holds off the enemy. Keykhosrow wishes to fight alongside Giv, but Giv insists that the king's safety is paramount; if Giv falls, there are other warriors, but if the king is lost, Iran has no future. Giv dons his armor and confronts Piran across the river. They exchange challenges, and Piran crosses the river to fight Giv. Giv uses a tactic of feigned retreat to lure Piran away from his troops, then suddenly turns, casts his lasso, and captures Piran, dragging him from his horse. He ties Piran up and then attacks the Turanian army, fighting with such ferocity that he defeats them single-handedly, sending them fleeing. Giv then drags the captive Piran to Keykhosrow, intending to behead him as revenge for Siavash. Piran pleads for his life, reminding Keykhosrow of his past kindness and protection. Farangis also intercedes, asking Giv to spare him. Keykhosrow asks Giv to release Piran, but Giv reveals he has sworn an oath to spill Piran's blood. To resolve this, Keykhosrow suggests piercing Piran's ear so that blood spills on the ground, satisfying the oath without killing him. Giv agrees, pierces Piran's ear, and then Piran asks for his horse to return. Giv agrees on the condition that Piran swears not to untie his hands until he reaches his wife, Golshahr, who must be the one to release him. Piran swears the oath, and Giv sends him back, bound and humiliated.